THE HARELD. 
237 
found breeding in Scotland, where they are most likely to 
if anywhere in Britain ; like most of the Ducks, they be- 
take themselves in summer to arctic regions. 
The BufFel-headed Duck is decidedly one of the hand- 
somest of our winter visitants, although there is not much 
variety in the tints of the plumage, which are simply black 
and white, except the head and upper neck, these being 
deep green with a purple gloss. A triangular patch of 
pure white, passing from below the eye on each side to 
the back of the head, gives this bird a very curious ap- 
pearance, the peculiarity of which is increased by the 
elongation of the feathers of the head, forming a crest erect- 
able at pleasure. 
This is a smaller species than the Golden- eye, measuring 
about fifteen inches in length ; to study its habits we must 
betake ourselves to America, where it is said to be common. 
Only three specimens are known to have been taken in this 
country, one of which was obtained in the autumn of 1841, 
in Orkney, by Mr. Mummery, curator of the Museum of 
Natural History at Margate. Yarrell says he has reason 
to believe that other examples of this Duck have been seen 
in winter on the extensive waters near Yarmouth, and that 
it is the bird called by the boat- shooters there the true 
Morillon ; these men call the Golden-eye * Eattle-wings.' 
Audubon says, * The IMarionette — and 1 think the name a 
very pretty one — is a very Jiardy bird, for it remains at 
times during extremely cold weather on the Ohio when 
it is thickly covered with floating ice, among which it is 
seen diving almost constantly in search of food. When 
the river is frozen over, they seek the head waters of the 
rapid streams, in the turbulent eddies of which they find 
abundance. Possessed of a feeling of security, arising 
from the rapidity with which they can dive, they often 
allow you to go quite near them, though they will then 
watch every motion, and at the snap of your gun, or on its 
being discharged, disappear with the swiftness of thought, 
and perhaps as quickly rise again within a few yards, as 
if to ascertain the cause of the alarm. Their note is a 
mere croak, much resembling that of the Golden Eye, but 
feebler. At the approach of spring, the males often swell 
